Effects of fatty acids on accumulation and secretion of histamine in RBL-2H3 cells and leukotriene release from peritoneal exudate cells isolated from Wistar rats.

Effects of fatty acids on accumulation and secretion of histamine in rat basophilic leukemia RBL-2H3 cells and leukotriene release from peritoneal exudate cells isolated from Wistar rats were examined in relation to the manifestation of type I allergic reactions. When RBL-2H3 cells were cultured for 24 h in the presence of 1 mM short chain fatty acids, a marked increase in histamine accumulation was observed, especially with butyric acid. In addition, Ca-ionophore A23187-stimulated histamine release was enhanced in the cells treated with 0.1 mM mono to hexa unsaturated fatty acids with 18 to 22 carbon-chains. On the other hand, LTB4 release from rat peritoneal exudate cells was inhibited in the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids, both n-6 and n-3, having more than 3 double bonds. Inhibitory activity was enhanced by an increase in the number of double bonds, and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) exerted the highest activity with complete inhibition at 0.1 mM and 35.5% inhibition even at 10 microM. A hydrophobic radical scavenger (9,10-diphenylanthracene) and two antioxidants (butyrated hydroxytoluene and alpha-tocopherol) inhibited the production of LTB4, but hydrophilic counterparts (mannitol and ascorbic acid) did not. These results suggest that lipophilic anti-oxidative agents, as well as PUFA, inhibit the production of LTB4.